Insulating Laminated Point Supported Glass System

ABSTRACT

The insulating laminated point supported system of the present invention comprises a plurality of insulating laminated glass, a plurality of stainless steel anchoring systems, and a plurality of structural supports. Each insulating laminated glass comprises a laminated glass inboard lite, a spacer, and an outboard lite. The anchoring system penetrates the laminated glass and connects the glass to the structural support. The outboard lite is not penetrated by the anchor system; it is attached to the laminated glass in a tradition way to form an insulating glass unit. The glass system of the present invention yields a lower U-factor indicating that the present system has higher thermal performance. The present system also meets the hurricane test requirement indicating the system can be used to enclose buildings in hurricane zone. With no aluminum frames, the present system can be used for GREEN or LEED required buildings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a glass system, and more specifically to a insulating laminated point supported glass system that is tested for hurricane impact and has high thermal performance.

2. Description of Related Art

Laminated glass is a type of safety glass. Conventional laminated glass generally comprises interlayer bonded between two or more sheets of glass. In the event of impact, the interlayer keeps the glass from breaking into sharp pieces; the glass will crash into spider web like pattern and still bond to the interlayer if the force is not strong enough to penetrate the glass. Common interlayer includes but is not limited to polyvinyl butyrate (PVB).

Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) comprises two or more panes of glass and a “spacer”, which separates the two panes of glass and seals the gas space between them. The glass panes may be laminated and/or tempered glass. The goal of IGUs is to insulate heat transfer between the external environment and internal environment. It was reported that the insulating efficiency of an IGU is determined by the thickness of the space containing the gas or vacuum. If two panes are closer to each other with a small space in between, the heat transfers through conduction between the two panes. If the two panes are separated by a wide space, the heat transfers through convection current between the two panes. It was reported that a maximum insulating value is achieved using a gas space of between ⅝″ to ¾″. However, the overall optimal thickness of an IGU (space and two panes) is determined by both insulating value and the capability of the frame used to support the glass assembly. An insulating laminated glass assembly may be too thick or heavy to be framed by window and curtain wall system, which support the glass around the perimeter, typically in aluminum frames.

Frameless point-supported glass systems are available in today's marketplace. The point-supported glass system relies on mechanical fasteners, such as spider anchors, to connect the glass to the structural supports, without mullions. Therefore, the point-supported glass systems can support thicker and heavier glass assembly than window or curtain wall can support; thus they provide more options for each element to meet design solution for various applications. The point supported systems provide flexibility for an extensive range of glass types that can be used with this system, such as tempered, laminated, coated, insulating, high performance energy efficient, acoustical, and solar glass. Another goal of these systems is usually to achieve an elegant and highly transparent aesthetic effect. Because the point-supported glass systems can provide maximum transparency for natural light to deeply enter into the buildings thus minimizing the need to turn on lighting equipment during daytime, the point-supported glass systems gradually become popular building envelope.

However, there's no existing point supported glass system that have both hurricane resistance and high thermal performance. Currently, buildings today in hurricane zone are enclosed by either a window wall or curtain wall system because these two systems have been tested for hurricane impact. Most of window wall or curtain wall system use aluminum frames to support glass on its perimeters. Since aluminum is a non-insulating (conductive) material, it may create cold bridges that reduce the thermal insulation performance.

Furthermore, existing point-supported glass systems in the marketplace today have the spider anchor penetrating the outboard lite of the insulated glass unit. This penetration of the insulation layer by the anchor made of non-insulating material between the interior and exterior environment of the building envelope creates cold bridges that reduce the thermal insulation performance.

Moreover, it was reported that there are environmental impacts associated with each stage of aluminum production, from extraction to processing. The major environmental impact is greenhouse gas emissions.

Therefore, there is a need to have an insulating laminated point-supported glass system that has both hurricane impact resistance and high thermal performance. The system should have fewer cold bridges than the conventional point-supported glass system, and thus increases the thermal insulation performance. The point-supported glass system that can meet the hurricane impact test requirement so that the point support glass systems may be used to enclose buildings located in hurricane zone. In the meantime, the point-supported glass system should also provide solutions to the aluminum environmental impact and cold bridges problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide an insulating laminated point supported system that meets the hurricane impact test requirement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulating laminated point supported system that has a low U-value so that the system has higher thermal performance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulating laminated point support system that do not use or use less aluminum so that the system is environmental friendly.

The insulating laminated point supported system according to the present invention has been tested for hurricane impact and thermal performance. The insulating laminated glass assembly of the present invention comprises an inboard lite, which is a laminated glass, a spacer, and an outboard lite. The laminated glass may comprise of two tempered glass separated by an interlayer. The outboard lite may be also a tempered glass. The insulating laminated glass assembly of the present invention is supported by the point supported system, which includes stainless steel anchoring parts, such as spider anchors and structural supports that the spider anchors attach to. The anchor parts penetrate the laminated glass and hold the laminated glass into place. The laminated glass is sandwiched between the outer parts of the anchor to form the inboard lite. The outboard lite in the insulating laminated glass assembly is not penetrated in anyway by the anchor parts; the outboard lite is attached to the laminated glass in the tradition way to form an insulating glass (IG) unit.

In short, first, the insulating laminated point supported glass system of the present invention is a Hurricane impact tested system, which is the only one available. Secondly the U-value of the system of the present invention is very unique since the outboard glass unit isn't penetrated by the anchor parts at all. Thirdly, the insulating laminated point supported system of the present invention is frameless thus reducing the consumption of aluminum.

The insulating laminated point supported glass system according to the present invention can be implemented as a high performance building enclosure on building that strive for or by code require higher energy efficiency. Any building in an active hurricane zone can be enclosed with the insulating laminated system of the present invention. The buildings that have a blast requirement can be enclosed with this system too, since Hurricane and blast requirements are very much identical.

Large and small, both residential and commercial buildings can be enclosed partially or completely with the insulating laminated point supported glass system of the present invention. Large building entrances that traditionally require lots of heating or cooling can be enclosed with this high efficient insulating laminated point supported glass system. This would make these buildings a Hurricane missile impact safe area and at the same time would increase the insulated value of the area.

The insulating laminated point supported system of the present invention reduces the use of plastics and aluminum, satisfying the requirement for buildings that use GREEN or LEED products. The low U-value of the present system will reduce energy costs radically. Blast requirements can be accommodated with the present system, which are similar to Hurricane requirements.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of an insulating laminated point supported glass system;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of 3″ routel assembly;

FIG. 3A is a view of a 3″ routel assembly that connects the laminated glass to the Spider anchor;

FIG. 3B illustrates the glazing details;

FIG. 4A illustrates an zoom in view of glass to spider connection that is attached to a structural support;

FIG. 4B illustrates an elevation view of glass to spider connection that is attached to a structural support;

FIG. 5 shows a large missile impact location at the specimen;

FIG. 6 shows heat distribution in the center of an insulating laminated glass point supported system;

FIG. 7 shows heat distribution at the edge of an insulating laminated glass point supported system;

FIG. 8 shows heat distribution in the spider area of an insulating laminated glass point supported system; and

FIG. 9 shows the two dimensions of an insulating laminated glass point supported system and calculation of U-factor of insulating glass.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, there is disclosed an insulating laminated point supported glass system 1 according to the present invention comprising an insulating laminated glass assembly 10, routel assembly (part # PS-11), stainless steel anchoring system (not shown in FIG. 1), and a structural support (not shown in FIG. 1). The insulating laminated glass assembly 10 of the present invention comprises an inboard lite, which is a laminated glass 12; a spacer 14; and an outboard lite 16. The laminated glass 12 may comprise two sheets of glass 122 and 124, which are bonded by an interlayer 126. The outboard lite 16 may be a tempered glass.

In one embodiment, the laminated glass lite 12 with an overall thickness of about 11/16″ is constructed using the following components: an about ¼″ tempered glass 122; an about 0.180″ DuPont SentryGlas® ionoplast interlayer (Miami-Dade NOQ #09-0312.03) 126; and an about ¼″ clear tempered glass 124. DuPont SentryGlas® ionoplast interlayer is the latest product line offered by DuPont for laminated safety glass. The SentryGlas® ionoplast interlayer is reported to be five times stronger and up to 100 times stiffer than conventional laminating materials. In other embodiments, the thickness of the laminated glass lite may be different as long as they are suitable for the intended purpose. Other types of the interlayer known in the art may also be used for the intended purpose.

The 3″ routel assembly (part # PS-11) shown in FIG. 1 connects the laminated glass 12 to the spider arm (not shown in FIG. 1) of the point supported system. In one embodiment, the point supported system 20 may be spider anchors. The 3″ routel assemblies (part # PS-11) are the anchor parts that penetrate the laminated glass 12 and hold the laminated glass 12 into place. The laminated glass 12 is sandwiched between the outer parts (part # PS-11-1 with PS-11-2 and part # PS-11-6 with PS-11-2) of the 3″ routel assembly (part # PS-11) to form the inboard lite 12. The outboard lite 16 in the insulating laminated glass assembly 10 is not penetrated in anyway by the routel assembly (part # PS-11); the outboard lite 16 is attached to the laminated glass 12 in the traditional way to form an insulating laminated glass unit 10.

In one embodiment, the insulating laminated glass assembly 10 with an overall thickness of about 1 11/16″ is constructed using the following components: a laminated glass lite (inboard) 12 of about 11/16″ thick; an outboard lite 16 of about ¾″ thick; and a space 14 of about ¾″ thick to separate laminated glass inboard lite 12 from outboard lite 16 for heat insulation purpose. In other embodiments, the thickness of the above components may be different as long as they are suitable for the intended purpose.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of 3″ routel assembly (part # PS-11). FIG. 3A is the 3″ routel assembly (part # PS-11) that connects the laminated glass 12 to the spider arm (not shown in FIG. 3A) of the point supported system and FIG. 3B illustrates the glazing details. FIG. 3A is the zoom in or blow up of the section enclosed in the dotted square of FIG. 3B. Refer to both FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B for the following description about the routel assembly (part # PS-11) component parts and laminated glass 12 glazing details.

Each glass lite of laminated glass 12 has four (4) holes 128 drilled in it to allow for the attachment of the glass lite 12 to the opening. In one embodiment, the holes drilled in the glass lite 12 are about 1 7/16″ in diameter and located at about 4 9/16″ from the vertical and horizontal edges. Each glass lite 12 is glazed to the provided opening on the spider arm (not shown in FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B) mechanically using four (4) 3″ routel assemblies (part # PS-11). The 1/16″ thick 1 13/32″ OD×1 9/32″ ID× 11/16″ long PVC glass isolator (part # PS-11-5) and underlying parts of the assemblies including one end of a 9/16″ threaded routel pin (part # PS-11-4) are fitted into the pre-drilled hole 128 in the glass 12, and a 3″ external routel shaft (part # PS-11-1) and a 3/32″ thick 2 15/16″ OD×1 9/32″ ID EPDM glass spacer (part # PS-11-2) are screwed onto the rest of the assembly. The laminated glass 12 is sandwiched between the 3″ external routel shaft (part # PS-11-1) with an EPDM glass spacer (part # PS-11-2) and the 3″ internal threaded plate (part # PS-11-6) with another EPDM glass spacer (part # PS-11-2).

Refer to FIG. 2, FIGS. 4A and 4B for the illustration of the connection between the laminated glass lite 12 and the spider anchor 20, which is attached to a structural support 30. FIG. 4A is the zoom in or blow up of the section enclosed in the dotted square of 4B. Each glass lite 12, which is already installed with part of the routel assembly (part # PS-11) is then mechanically fixed to the spider arm 22 using the rest of the routel assembly (part # PS-11). The other end of the 9/16″ threaded routel pin (part # PS-11-4) is slid into the spider arm with a ⅛″ thick 1-17/16″ OD× 3/16″ slotted hole (spider washers) (part # PS-11-9) on either side of the spider arm 22, and a 15/16″× 1/16″ long external cap nut (part # PS-11-10) and a routel external lock washer (part # PS-11-8) are then fastened on holding the routel assembly (part # PS-11) in place with the spider arm 22. Prior to connecting glass assembly 12 to the spider anchors 20, the spider anchors 20 is already attached to the structural support 30 using brackets 40.

The installation sequence may be varied with different situations. Other types of routel assemblies with different components may be used as long as they provide same function for the intended purposes.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the spacer 14 of about ¾″ thick and the tempered outboard lite 16 of about ¼″ thick are then placed onto the outside of the laminated glass inboard lite 12 by gluing with adhesive sealant or by other fastening means known in the art. The spacer 14 is the piece that separates the two panes (inboard lite 12, and outboard lite 16) in an insulating glass system, and seals the gas space 18 between them. The spacer 14 may be made from metal and/or structural foam. The space 18 between the two panes 12, 16 may be filled with gas or may be vacuumed for heat insulation. The spacer 14 may also have sound dampening characteristic. In one embodiment, an adhesive sealant is applied to the face of the spacer 14 on each side and the panes 12, 16 pushed against the spacer 14. The construction of the insulating laminated glass unit 10 may be different in other embodiments.

Referring back to FIG. 4B, there is disclosed an insulating laminated point supported glass system 1 with a plurality of lites of insulating laminated glass 10. In one embodiment, once all the glass lites have been installed then the butt joints between adjacent glass lites and the perimeter are sealed using a continuous ¾″ (minimum)×⅝″ bead of Dow Corning® 983 silicone structural glazing and curtain wall adhesive/sealant or Dow Corning® 995 silicone structural glazing sealant. The perimeter sealant (trim) used is Dow Corning® 795 silicone building sealant. Sealants of other type or vendor known in the art may be used. A different quantity may be used depending on the size of the insulating laminated glass.

A specimen consisting of twelve individual fixed lites of insulating laminated glass 10 that were each attached to the provided steel support structure 30 using a series of custom stainless steel anchors such as spider anchor 20 was subjected to hurricane impact test. The overall size of the test specimen is about 157½″ (2)×146¼″ (h) overall glass size. There is no glass bite, no weather stripping, no weep holes, water diverters, and covers involved in the specimen.

The specimen was tested according to the Florida Building Codes TAS 201, 202, 203 by Hurricane Test Laboratory (HTL), LLC; the test results were presented and summarized in the following paragraphs.

FIG. 5 shows the large missile impact location for the specimen tested. Table 1 provides a large missile impact test results. The large missile impacted the intended targets and HTL carefully inspected each impact location. HTL observed no signs of penetration, rupture, or opening after the large missile impact test; as such, the test specimen satisfies the large missile requirements of the Florida Building Code TAS 201 Level D. All the other tests performed on the test specimen including air infiltration test (TAS 202), water infiltration test (TAS 202), uniform static load test (TAS 202), and cyclic load test (TAS 203) also satisfy the test requirements. The tests described above have been performed in full accordance of the requirements of the Florida Building Code, with no deviations.

TABLE 1 Large Missile Impact Test Results Missile Missile Missile Glass Weidht Length Velocity Temp X Y Specimen # Impact (lbs) (in.) (ft/sec) (° F.) Coord.¹ (in.) Coord.² (in) 1 1 8.87 92″ 50.01 71.00 31.25 135.75 2 50.20 72.00 29.00 116.75 3 49.70 73.00 23.25 23.25 4 49.88 73.00 46.00 136.6 5 49.98 73.00 42.00 112.75 6 49.96 73.00 40.25 13.75 7 50.05 73.00 77.00 131.25 8 50.03 73.00 79.50 22.75 9 49.86 73.00 95.75 134.00 10 49.68 73.00 73.00 73.50 11 49.69 73.00 94.50 35.75 12 50.02 73.00 137.00 74.50 13 50.04 73.00 135.50 24.50 14 50.00 73.00 133.00 137.75 15 49.99 73.00 148.50 52.00 16 50.05 73.00 147.50 15.00 17 49.88 N/A 147.50 135.75 18 50.01 N/A 136.00 105.00 19 50.33 N/A 105.25 76.50 ¹Measured from the left side of test specimen. 2. Measured from the Bottom Side of Test Specimen. The U-factor (a.k.a. U-value) of the specimen was also evaluated according to National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) 100: procedure for determining fenestration product-U factors. As per the foreword, the procedures have been developed by the NFRC to meet the need for a uniform and accurate means for evaluating the U-factors of fenestration systems using state-of-the-art simulation procedures validated with physical testing. The U-factors established by this procedure are determined at a fixed set of environmental conditions. The U-factor is a measure of the heat transfer characteristics of a fenestration product under specific environmental conditions. The U-factor multiplied by the interior-exterior temperature difference and by the projected fenestration product area, yields the total heat transfer through the fenestration product due to conduction, convection, and infrared radiation. The U-factor is the heat transmission in a unit time through a unit area of a test specimen and its boundary air films, induced by a unit temperature difference between the environments on each side.

The glass size evaluated was 23.5 inches (height)×52.25 inches (width). The U-factor of the system was determined by MCY Engineering, Inc. using Therm 5.2., which calculated heat loss through frame and edge of glass components using finite difference analysis. The program solved for temperature and heat flow distribution throughout the cross section. The temperature distribution could then be used to determine overall heat loss, total and component U-factors, and local temperatures at points of interest. The temperature distribution, U-factor, area of the insulating laminated point supported glass system of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 6-9. The U-factors of the insulated glass was 0.4539 (BTU/HR*FT²*F) for the glass center, 0.6667 (BTU/HR*FT²*F) for the glass edge, and 0.7281 (BTU/HR*FT²*F) for the spider area. The area was 316.5 square inches for the glass edge, 790.9 square inches for the glass center, and 144 square inches for the spider area. Therefore, the total U-factor for the insulating point supported glass was 0.539 (BTU/HR*FT²*F) calculated based on the following equation.

$\begin{matrix} {{{Ufactor}.{ig}} = \frac{\left( {{{Ugc}*{Agc}} + {{Uge}*{Age}} + {{Usa}*{Asa}}} \right)}{\left( {53.25\mspace{14mu} {in}*23.5\mspace{14mu} {in}} \right)}} \\ {= {0.539\mspace{14mu} {{BTU}/\left( {{hr}*{{ft}\hat{}2}*F} \right)}}} \end{matrix}$

Ufactor.ig=total U-factor of insulating glass Ugc=U factor of glass center Agc=area of glass center Uge=U factor of glass edge Age=area of glass edge Usa=U factor of spider area Asa=area of spider area

In comparison, the total U-factor calculated for the laminated glass is 0.895 (BTU/HR*FT²*F). The U-factor of insulating laminated point supported glass of the present invention is lower than the laminated glass. It is obvious that the insulating laminated point supported glass of the present invention has higher thermal performance than the laminated glass system.

In conclusion, the insulating laminated point supported glass system of the present invention yields a lower U-factor than laminated glass system indicating that the present invention has higher thermal performance. The insulating laminated point supported glass system of the present invention also met hurricane test requirement indicating the system can be used to enclose buildings in hurricane zone. With no aluminum frames, the present system can be used for GREEN or LEED required buildings.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An insulating laminated point supported glass system comprising a plurality of insulating laminated glass, a plurality of stainless steel anchoring systems, and a plurality of structural supports; each insulating laminated glass comprising a laminated glass inboard lite, a spacer, and an outboard lite; the laminated glass inboard lite is penetrated and held in place by the stainless steel anchoring system; the stainless steel anchoring system connects the laminated glass inboard lite to the structural support; the outboard lite is attached to the laminated glass through the spacer without being penetrated by the stainless steel anchoring system.
 2. The insulating laminated point supported glass system of claim 1, wherein each stainless steel anchoring systems includes spider anchors and routel assemblies.
 3. The insulating laminated point supported glass system of claim 1 is a hurricane impact tested system.
 4. The insulating laminated point supported glass system of claim 1 has high thermal efficiency.
 5. The insulating laminated point supported glass system of claim 1 can be used for GREEN or LEED required buildings.
 6. The insulating laminated point supported glass system of claim 1, wherein the laminated glass inboard lite comprising two or more sheets of tempered glass and an interlayer between glass sheets.
 7. The insulating laminated point supported glass system of claim 6, wherein the interlayer is DuPont SentryGlas® ionoplast interlayer.
 8. The insulating laminated point supported glass system of claim 1, wherein the outboard lite may be tempered glass.
 9. The insulating laminated point supported glass system of claim 1, wherein an adhesive sealant is applied to the face of the spacer on each side and the inboard lite and outboard lite are pressed against the spacer.
 10. The insulating laminated point supported glass system of claim 1, wherein the outboard lite may be bonded to the inboard lite through the spacer by other mechanism.
 11. The insulating laminated point supported glass system of claim 1, wherein the overall thickness of the insulating laminated glass is about 1 11/16″.
 12. The insulating laminated point supported glass system of claim 1, wherein the spacer that reduces heat flow may also have other characteristics including but not limited to sound dampening.
 13. An insulating laminated point supported glass system comprising a plurality of insulating laminated glass, and at least one stainless steel anchoring systems; each insulating laminated glass comprising a laminated glass inboard lite, a spacer, and an outboard lite; the laminated glass inboard lite is penetrated and held in place by the stainless steel anchoring system; the outboard lite is attached to the laminated glass through the spacer without being penetrated by the stainless steel anchoring system.
 14. The insulating laminated point supported glass system of claim 13 further comprises at least one structural support; the stainless steel anchoring system connects the laminated glass inboard lite to the structural support. 